Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
EARL ORSER Obituary
EARL HERBERT ORSER C.M., B.COM., F .C.A., L.L.D. JULY 5, 1928 TO DECEMBER 26, 2004 Earl was a devoted family man and respected business and community leader. He maintained life-long friendships and touched many lives. He died peacefully at home in the arms of his family. Earl welcomed new challenges and faced them with passion, integrity and humour. He was deeply committed to the economic well-being of Canada. Support from the Leonard Foundation allowed him to attend the University of Toronto in 1946. Following graduation, he earned his C.A. and became a partner with Clarkson Gordon & Company. Senior executive positions were held with Anthes Imperial Limited, Molson Industries Limited and Air Canada. In 1973, he joined the T. Eaton Company Limited and became President and CEO (1975-77). Moving to London, Earl joined the London Life Insurance Company and became President and CEO (1980), Chairman (1989) and Honorary Chairman (1994). During these years, he also ser ved as the Chairman of SPAR Aerospace and the London Insurance Group. Corporate directorships included IPL Energy Inc., Brascan Limited, DMR Group Inc., Canada Tr ust, and Cooper Canada Limited. Earl believed strongly in community service and gave time and leadership to educational, medical and arts organizations. He chaired the Board of Governors of the University of Western Ontario, Richard Ivey School of Business Advisory Committee, Comprehensive Health System Planning Commission, Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association and was the Founding Chair of London Economic Development Corporation. Other community directorships included the University College Committee (University of Toronto), Fathers of Confederation Buildings Trust, C.D. Howe Institute, and Robarts Research Institute. He was named a member of the Order of Canada in 1997. Other honours included a Queen's Jubilee Medal, Doctorate of Laws (University of Western Ontario), Fellow, Institute of Chartered Accountants, Distinguished Business Alumni (University of Toronto), and London Business Hall of Fame. Earl was predeceased by his loving parents Eva and Frank Orser. He is survived by his wife Marion, 'He was the love of my life' and by daughters Darlene Funnell, Barbara Orser, Beverley Orser and Nancy Hart, sons-in-law, Derek Funnell, Allan Riding, Geordie Fallis, and George Hart and grandchildren Michael, Amanda, Kevin, Becky, Sarah, Dylan (deceased), Emma and Chlöe. He will also be missed by his sister Constance, Cal Firth, Velma and Nelson Rust, nieces and nephews. Family will receive friends during the hour preceding the memorial service which will be held on Saturday, January 8, 2005 at 2:00 p.m. at First-St. Andrew's United Church, 350 Queens Ave. at Waterloo St., London. Private family funeral service and interment at Oakland of Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, London. In lieu of flowers, donations to the London Regional Cancer Center (790 Commissioner's Road, East, London, ON, N6A 4L6) or University College Morrison Hall (University of Toronto, c/o Principal, University College, 15 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON, M5S 3H7) are appreciated. (James A. Harris Funeral Home, London, 519-433-7253).
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for EARL ORSER
9 Entries
Williams and Russo's
January 7, 2005
Dear Marion, Ernie and our Family would like to express our sympathy to you and your family in the loss of Cousin Earl. Has been a long time since we have had a chance to visit and such a shame since we only live 2 hours away. Our prayers are and will be with you. Take care of each other and live remembering all the good times. Love, Ernie, Coralynn, Dana, Nicole Williams and Andrea & Jason Russo.
Caroline Martens
January 5, 2005
Dear Auntie Marion, Darlene, Bev, Barb, Nancy and Families;
Our deepest sympathy to you at this time of loss. Uncle Earl was a man of great integrity, intelligence, humour and caring.
When I was young, I remember feeling awe when you and Uncle Earl would come for a visit, Auntie Marion; this was a man who smoked a cigar in Mom's and Dad's house! I loved listening to Uncle Earl's stories about you and "the girls". As an adult, I saw a different side of Uncle Earl in teasing me about my "Buns of Steel"...
I feel honoured to have known such a man as Uncle Earl.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. God bless.
Caroline, John, Ryan and Alana Martens
Barbara Starcheski (nee Hindley)
January 1, 2005
Dear Marion & Family: Although I didn't have the privilege of meeting Earl, (save one brief encounter in front of Mom & Dad Ellis's house on Home street when someone (probably Velma) took your picture together and I was there!) I did keep up with your "news" through Velma and have always had the impression of a very happy & close family. I'm sure you will have many happy memories of your years together to comfort you when you are feeling his loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you Marion, and may God bless and comfort you in the times when you feel all alone. You're not. God is with you and so are your family and friends. Love and sympathy to you all.
Sincerely,
Barbara
Rev. Deborah and pastor Sunday Olukoju
January 1, 2005
Dear Mrs. Orser and family,
On behalf of our family and the church's family we want to pass on our condolence to you. My husaband and I pastor the church that Catherine Rust and Sherrie Nelson attend here in Winnipeg. We knew they were coming to see you and your husband last summer, and I am glad they did. They came back with fond memories of their visit with you.
We pray for his soul to rest in peace. You are in our prayers and our thouthgs. May the God of peace and comfort grant you ALL that you need to face these days ahead of you.
With Christ love,
Deborah, Sunday and Immanuel Fellowship Church
Winniepg Manitoba.
Velma Rust
December 31, 2004
Dearest Marion, Dar, Barb, Bev, Nance and Families:
We extend our heartfelt sympathy to you all on the loss of your beloved husband, loving father, and cherished grandfather, who will be sorely missed.
We have many wonderful memories of Earl. He was a real gentleman, a kind, loving and caring person, respected by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
Our love, our thoughts and our prayers are with you all.
Lovingly,
Nib, Rusty & Family
Anne Day
December 30, 2004
Dear Darlene and Barb
I only met your father that one time in Ottawa, but in the short time I spent with you all, it was clear that he was a very special person. I always remember the keen interest he took in your lives and feel sure he was a real mentor to you all.
My thoughts are with you and your family on this sad occasion.
Anne Day
Velma Rust
December 30, 2004
To My Dearest Sister, Marion, Dar, Barb, Bev, Nance & Families:
Our deepest sympathy to you all on the loss of your dear husband, beloved father, and cherished grandfather, who will be sorely missed. Earl was loved and respected by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
I have many fond memories of my "big brother Earl", going back to our first meeting the summer of Grade 10 when Mom and I spent two weeks on Centre Island. Then the big wedding at Timothy Eaton's in Toronto.
We had the joy of watching your beautiful daughters grow up (Earl's harem) and sharing proud moments of the weddings of your daughters. I especially remember my three-week visit with you both in August 2003, enjoying visiting with Earl and "his bride" of 53 years.
Cathy especially remembers her three-day visit with you this past August, visiting the university campus and having long discussions with Uncle Earl.
Earl was a real gentleman, a kind, loving, caring person, a wonderful husband, loving father, doting grandpa, and he was my "big brother".
We extend our deepest and heartfelt sympathy on the loss of this very dear one. Our hearts mourn with you. We pray that God will give you His strength to meet each new day, that He will enfold you in His loving arms, and that He will bestow upon you His peace and the comfort that only He can give.
I love you, dear sister. You are in our thoughts and in our prayers. May God bless you and your family!
Lovingly,
Nib, Rusty, Dave, Dan, Caroline, Rob, Rick, Cathy & Families
David Rust
December 30, 2004
Dear Aunt Marion, Darlene, Barb, Bev, and Nancy, and all associated family members:
My great sympathy on your loss of Uncle Earl.
The first memory I have of Uncle Earl was him showing slides of a trip (it must have been to Prague, I think) on Mom and Dad's walls at their house. a) I think it was the first time I had seen slides on our walls, b) it was certainly the first time I had seen slides of a foreign country. I was impressed!
While I never got to know Uncle Earl as well as I would really have liked to ( you were half a continent away), I did get a sense of how he ticked, especially as I was further along in my career with Bank of Montreal, and as I had more responsibilities. I think of Uncle Earl as a man with lots of responsibilities, yet still so connected with his family members that he was able to make some really good suggestions for Mom's retirement from her church's "Wee College" program. While Mom's retirement might have seemed not so important in all the grand scheme of things, Uncle Earl did know it was VERY IMPORTANT for my Mom. For that thoughtfulness, I am extremely thankful.
I can't possibly be as sad as you are on his passing from this life to the next, but I am deeply saddened nonetheless.
Love to you all from David, Caroline, Rebecca, and Hannah Rust.
Russ Hansen
December 29, 2004
I had the pleasure of working at London Life during the Orser years. He was a wonderful leader and visionary. Some of my fondest memories of my adult working life were spent with " The London Life "
May God Bless you and your family at this time.
Showing 1 - 9 of 9 results